Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at President William Ruto after the President accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of funding and supporting the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, August 14, Gachagua told Ruto to stop focusing on Uhuru and instead prepare to face him in the 2027 presidential contest.
“William Ruto, please leave President Uhuru Kenyatta alone. President Uhuru Kenyatta is retired and face your competitor, Rigathi Gachagua,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua argued that Uhuru will not be on the ballot in 2027 and therefore should not be presented as Ruto’s main political opponent.
“You cannot pretend that you compete with President Uhuru Kenyatta. He will not be on the ballot,” he said.
Ruto accuses Uhuru of backing opposition
Ruto had on Thursday accused his predecessor of being the “chief financier” and “sponsor” of opposition groups seeking to challenge his administration.
Speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Ruto also criticised Uhuru’s record in government and alleged that he was using political allies to challenge his administration.
“When you look at those people, didn’t their sponsor fail at matters of affordable housing?” Ruto asked his supporters.
He added that Uhuru had “gone to organise his proxies” to compete with his administration.
Gachagua attacks Ruto’s administration
In response, Gachagua accused the Ruto administration of failing Kenyans in several areas.
He pointed to what he described as the use of goons in politics and problems surrounding the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Gachagua said Uhuru was not responsible for the decisions being made by the current administration.
Ruto, meanwhile, has remained confident that he will win the 2027 election, telling his supporters that he would defeat his political opponents.
The exchange marks another escalation in the growing political rivalry between Ruto and Gachagua as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
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